[OC] Global recorded music industry revenues by format – 1999 to 2025
Reconstructed IFPI historical series of global recorded music revenues by format.
Shows the transition from physical formats to streaming and how other revenue streams evolved over time.
Data sources:
• IFPI Global Music Report 2025 (historical series 1999–2024)
• IFPI Global Music Report 2026 (2025 totals and format breakdown confirmation)
Notes:
• Values are global recorded music trade revenues in current USD
• IFPI restates historical values annually using updated exchange rates, so older versions may differ
• Categories: Physical, Streaming, Downloads and other digital, Performance rights, Synchronisation
• Totals may show minor rounding differences
Tool:
• Data reconstructed and visualised manually using Figma
blinkinbling on
Next time I hear that “streaming destroyed music industry” I will vomit.
vaalenz on
Care to explain what Synchronization is?
HayatoKongo on
Outside of the obvious takeover of streaming revenue, it’s likely positive for artists that more income is coming from performances. From what I understand, the artists are taking a larger cut from that than anything else.
Mr_1990s on
It’s an incredibly unpopular opinion in many circles, but Spotify saved the music industry.
The mixture of illegal and legal downloads almost killed it with help from people’s frustrations with spending $18 dollars (in 1999 money) on CDs when they often liked 1-2 songs.
ottawalanguages on
really cool chart – shows two trends at the same time
Useful_Tomato_409 on
More important data would be what % were artists getting of each year’s total revenue?
Haavard-Pettersen on
Funny – it took relatively modest sales in the 90’s to enable someone to make a living selling music. Today, with much higher revenues, it is hard even with massive streaming numbers. 🤔
ndharris on
Cool chart. Don’t suppose you could show the physical format split across vinyl, tape, cd etc.?
bean930 on
It looks like “Downloads/others digital” was the iTunes/Zune era.
Embarrassed_Love_128 on
To me, what’s fascinating is that “Performance Rights” have increased. That should be a good sign, right?
drugpatentwatch on
I guess they found a better solution than suing their customers! +1 for innovation.
npeggsy on
I like this graph, and it would also be cool to see a separate graph adjusted for inflation- I don’t know if music has got “smaller” as an industry as other forms of entertainment have become more readily available, if the increase in accessibility has made it “bigger”, or it’s just the same and a fairly boring conclusion.
13 Comments
Data sources:
• IFPI Global Music Report 2025 (historical series 1999–2024)
• IFPI Global Music Report 2026 (2025 totals and format breakdown confirmation)
Notes:
• Values are global recorded music trade revenues in current USD
• IFPI restates historical values annually using updated exchange rates, so older versions may differ
• Categories: Physical, Streaming, Downloads and other digital, Performance rights, Synchronisation
• Totals may show minor rounding differences
Tool:
• Data reconstructed and visualised manually using Figma
Next time I hear that “streaming destroyed music industry” I will vomit.
Care to explain what Synchronization is?
Outside of the obvious takeover of streaming revenue, it’s likely positive for artists that more income is coming from performances. From what I understand, the artists are taking a larger cut from that than anything else.
It’s an incredibly unpopular opinion in many circles, but Spotify saved the music industry.
The mixture of illegal and legal downloads almost killed it with help from people’s frustrations with spending $18 dollars (in 1999 money) on CDs when they often liked 1-2 songs.
really cool chart – shows two trends at the same time
More important data would be what % were artists getting of each year’s total revenue?
Funny – it took relatively modest sales in the 90’s to enable someone to make a living selling music. Today, with much higher revenues, it is hard even with massive streaming numbers. 🤔
Cool chart. Don’t suppose you could show the physical format split across vinyl, tape, cd etc.?
It looks like “Downloads/others digital” was the iTunes/Zune era.
To me, what’s fascinating is that “Performance Rights” have increased. That should be a good sign, right?
I guess they found a better solution than suing their customers! +1 for innovation.
I like this graph, and it would also be cool to see a separate graph adjusted for inflation- I don’t know if music has got “smaller” as an industry as other forms of entertainment have become more readily available, if the increase in accessibility has made it “bigger”, or it’s just the same and a fairly boring conclusion.